How scenic Nyambene became a cattle rustlers' paradise where locals live in perpetual fear

Some parts of the vast Nyambene landscape in northern Meru are breathtaking, with the spectacular Nyambene Hills offering a plethora of rich biodiversity.

Ideally, the area should be a haven of beauty and scenic tourism activities, but in reality, it is a cattle rustlers' paradise.

For instance, the upper part of Nyambene has the rolling Nyambene hills, a thick forested area and the source of 14 permanent rivers which flow across the county, with some snaking into the river Tana and finally draining into the Indian Ocean.

Abound with tourist attraction sites, Nyambene is also host to the scenic Igombe crater, perched at the top of a raised ground which offers a panoramic view of neighbouring Isiolo and surrounding areas.

The crater has a salt lick from which hundreds of livestock are taken to lick soda daily.

“This salt is good for my cattle because it protects them from worms and other diseases. It has healing powers, too,” says Jeremy Guantai, as he watches his 21 head of cattle lick the salt.

Livestock owners we spoke with affirmed Guantai's sentiment, saying their cows hardly get infected with any diseases.

At the entrance of the crater, you will find hundreds of cattle waiting for their turn to lick the much-treasured salt.

But it is the lower Nyambene neighbouring Isiolo and Samburu counties that has become the source of endless pain for local communities that occupy at least seven sub counties.

Meru’s first Governor Peter Munya had initiated an ambitious plan to establish the Nyambene conservancy in a vast area measuring 640 kilometres squared.

In the proposed conservancy, one is likely to spot game such as dik diks, gazelles as well as zebras and giraffes.

Munya had 27 rangers trained by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who were deployed there to protect the wildlife while guarding against cattle rustlers.

But when she took over, Governor Kawira Mwangaza redeployed the rangers’ revenue collection and enforcement officers in Meru town, sparking protests from Igembe North residents led by their MP, Julius Taitumu.

On March 17, in one of his first executive tasks when he took over from the impeached Kawira, Governor Isaac Mutuma ordered the rangers back to the cattle rustling-prone Nyambene, saying his administration wants to partner with the national government to enhance security in the area.

“I direct that the rangers who were withdrawn from the northern grazing zones be restored. The rangers are not needed in Meru town, where they collect revenue,” he directed, adding that the rangers will be provided with the patrol vehicles and necessary equipment to undertake their duties.

County Secretary Kiambi Atheru was tasked with the responsibility of promptly ensuring that the rangers return to the vast fields. 

But before resuming their former duties, the ranger has to undergo a vetting exercise, according to Dr Atheru.

Taitumu and his colleagues, John Mutunga (Tigania West), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central) and Igembe South’s John Paul Mwirigi have been lamenting rampant insecurity in the area.

In September last year, following a string of attacks by cattle rustlers, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Administration Police boss Gilbert Masengeli and GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni led a security meeting in the area to explore ways to end the problem.

“Cattle rustling has existed in Meru up to now, and that is why I have visited here to talk with the MPS, MCAS, police officers in the area and the herders, so that we can identify the gaps. We believe the people here can contribute solutions to the challenges that are here,” said Kanja.

Aburi complained that the perennial livestock raids had deprived locals of their main source of livelihood. “The cattle rustlers have turned northern Meru into an ATM where they cross the border and make away with our livestock,” he said. 

Mr Wetang’ula addressed the issue of cattle rustling, which has in recent years become the main internal security concern in the northern region collectively referred to as Nyambene, which neighbours Isiolo and Samburu.

None other than National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula waded into the insecurity issue during a recent fundraiser for Tigania Women Sacco.

Wetang’ula who was accompanied by several Meru MPs said it was upon the administrators to act to end the security.

“We don’t want to hear livestock are stolen by your neighbours and sold as the owners suffer,” he said.

The Speaker challenged local administrators to liaise national government in identifying security gaps. “If you have a deficit of vehicles or equipment to deal with the criminals you should inform us in Nairobi so that we can intervene,” he said.

He challenged chiefs in the affected regions to play their role by identifying suspicious people who might be working with the criminals.

“There is no way someone can travel 100km away to steal livestock here without assistance from people. There must be agents of the bandits. The chiefs should identify them,” he said.

On December 18, 2023, then Interior Cabinet Secretary and now Deputy President Kithure Kindiki presided over the graduation of 140 police reservists to curb rampant cases of cattle rustling in northern Meru where raiders from neighbouring counties steal livestock, impoverishing locals.

Last month, three police reservists were killed by cattle rustlers in an ambush at Mea area in Antuambui ward, Igembe North. Even though all the animals were recovered, the lives lost are too many. 

The incident is just one of countless raids the rustlers have mounted in recent years, leaving many dead, injured and a trail of destruction in their wake.

“The increased rampant insecurity witnessed in the grazing areas of Igembe and Tigania is alarming. Many people have been killed, while others have been left maimed, and hundreds of livestock have been stolen. A long-lasting solution to end the banditry attacks needs to be found,” says Munya.

While cattle rustlers have made away with a large number of animals, armed herders from neighbouring counties have also, for many years, been driving their livestock across the border into Meru, causing clashes with the locals on the Meru side.

Three years ago, seven residents in parts of Tigania East Sub County in Meru County died in a conflict over grazing land, as the raiders who were armed with guns and other weapons went on a shooting spree in Mweronkoro, Lokichi, Matabithi and Johanna villages in the semi- arid area, where large chunks of land lacked title deeds.

In April 2022, some 18 locals died in Tigania in a violent feud pitting herders from Isiolo who mounted an attack in retaliation after 10 camels were killed by people suspected to be from Athwana.

According to Athwana MCA Jim Muchui, for decades, the area was considered a community grazing zone, and hence, anyone was free to drive their livestock in the fields.

Muchui who is also County Assembly Majority Whip says the area has no title deeds hence the perception that anyone was free to graze the animals there.

“Thousands of cattle stolen remain unrecovered, and the victims continue to sink into poverty,” laments Muchui.

As the situation remains volatile, legislators Taitumu, Aburi and Kiili maintain that cattle rustling has impoverished many families. 

According to Taitumu, even as the security personnel increased their presence in cattle, it was important for a major operation to recover animals stolen over a long period.

“We have intelligence apparatus in this country, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Intelligence Service, they know. All the stolen livestock are in Samburu East,” he said.

The lawmaker complained that the rustling menace had robbed Igembe residents of their livelihoods, and they feared the killings that happen during cattle raids would continue if appropriate measures are not taken as a matter of urgency.

“The impediment to livestock recovery is one thing; an operation has not been done. We have complained about it. An operation is required immediately to make sure that those people will not cross over,” he said.

"These people (cattle rustlers) are not like the Al-Shabab. These are people who are known, their hideouts and where those animals are,” he added.

While locals and their leaders remain pessimistic, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma says recruitment of reservists from the Meru and Turkana communities has enhanced security. 

“The reservists have created a buffer zone such that the points the bandits used to cross over are now manned, and we have enough personnel to counter them when they come,” he explains.

According to security expert Dr Elijah Arimi, a lecturer of Criminology and Psychology, drawing from the relative success in curbing similar crimes in the North Rift through military intervention, a multi-layered and locally tailored approach may be necessary to replicate in Meru.

"Just as in the North Rift, a joint military-police operation has been considered to flush out armed criminals, dismantle hideouts, and reclaim territory under the control of bandits. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with their advanced training and intelligence capabilities, can provide a decisive edge in enforcement," said Dr Arimi.

The university dean is advocating for a community-centred intelligence gathering approach.

"There is often a trust gap between security forces and local communities. Enhancing community policing through trusted local informants, elders, and reformed warriors can help map out criminal networks, hideouts, and supply chains for stolen livestock. But this could be complicated by internal betrayal, especially where leaders could be having a conflict of interest," Dr Arimi opined.

Further, he observes, there is a need to address historical land and boundary disputes.

"Many cases of cattle rustling are rooted in territorial conflicts and unresolved ancestral claims. Government should establish a commission or support alternative dispute resolution processes involving community elders to resolve such issues," says Dr Arimi

"Unemployment, poverty, and lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, water, and schools make rustling an attractive livelihood activity. Long-term deterrence demands massive investment in local development, especially building market access for livestock, introducing modern livestock tracking systems like branding and microchipping, as well as involvement of religious and cultural leaders," he adds.

According to Dr Arimi, since traditional and religious leaders carry moral authority, they should be encouraged to speak against banditry, initiate peace dialogues, and restore traditional values that discourage theft and violence.

Strengthened legal prosecution is also crucial in the fight against banditry and cattle rustling activities in scenic Nyambene.

"Even when rustlers are arrested, they often go scot free due to weak investigations or witness intimidation. Strengthen local legal systems with special mobile courts, witness protection, and paralegal support to ensure swift and fair trials," notes Dr Arimi.